Philip

Pronunciation: [ f-IHL-uhp ]

Boy Name #522 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

A royal Greek name meaning lover of horses

English Greek French German Spanish

Classic Traditional Royal Sophisticated Strong

Meaning & Origin

"lover of horses"

Origin: Greek

Language: English

The Story of Philip

Philip derives from the ancient Greek name Philippos, composed of 'philein' (to love) and 'hippos' (horse), meaning 'lover of horses.' Horses symbolized aristocratic power in ancient Greece, making this name inherently noble. Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, was among its most famous bearers, giving the name associations of military genius and political greatness.

Philip has been a consistently aristocratic name throughout European history, popular among royalty and nobility for two millennia. In the US, it has remained steady and respected, particularly associated with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Philip the Apostle was one of Jesus's twelve disciples, giving the name deep Christian significance. Philip II of Spain built the Spanish Empire at its zenith. Prince Philip of the UK served as royal consort for 73 years, making it a name of enduring loyalty and duty.

Fun Facts

Philip II of Macedon's son Alexander became Alexander the Great, one of history's most famous conquerors
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, served as royal consort for 73 years, the longest in British history

Philip in Other Languages

Greek Φίλιππος

French Philippe

German Philipp

Italian Filippo

Spanish Felipe

Portuguese Filipe

Famous People Named Philip

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Royalty

1921

Consort of Queen Elizabeth II and the longest-serving royal consort in British history, serving for 73 years

Philip II of Macedon

Military

King of Macedon who unified Greece and was the father of Alexander the Great (382-336 BCE)

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #522
Total SSA Count: 586
Cultural Origins: English Greek French German Spanish
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Phillip #627

Common Nicknames

Phil Pip

Pairs Well With

Philip James Philip Henry Philip William Philip Edward Philip Alexander Philip Thomas Philip Arthur

Sibling Names

Edward Henry Catherine Alexandra George Elizabeth Charles

Also a Girl Name

Philip is also used as a girl name, ranked #70748.

View Philip as a girl name →

Similar Names

Phillip Filip

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Philip

What does the name Philip mean?

"lover of horses" (from Greek). Philip derives from the ancient Greek name Philippos, composed of 'philein' (to love) and 'hippos' (horse), meaning 'lover of horses.' Horses symbolized aristocratic power in ancient Greece, making this name inherently noble. Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, was among its most famous bearers, giving the name associations of military genius and political greatness.

What is the origin of the name Philip?

Philip has Greek, English, French, German, and Spanish origins. In Greek, it means "lover of horses".

Is Philip a boy or girl name?

Philip is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #522. As a girl name, it is ranked #70748. Philip is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Philip?

Philip is pronounced f-IHL-uhp.

How popular is the name Philip?

Philip is currently ranked #522 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Philip?

Common nicknames for Philip include Phil and Pip.

What are good middle names for Philip?

Popular middle name pairings include Philip James, Philip Henry, Philip William, Philip Edward, Philip Alexander, Philip Thomas, and Philip Arthur.

What are good sibling names for Philip?

Names that pair well with Philip as siblings include Edward, Henry, Catherine, Alexandra, George, Elizabeth, and Charles.

How many syllables does Philip have?

Philip has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Philip a common or rare name?

Philip is moderately common, ranked #522 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Philip

Philip is a boy name with English, Greek, French, German, and Spanish origins . The name means "lover of horses" in Greek .

Is Philip a boy or girl name? Philip is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #522 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #70,748. Philip is more commonly used as a boy name.

Philip is currently ranked #522 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Philip has 2 syllables and is pronounced f-IHL-uhp, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Philip include Phil and Pip. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Philip include Phillip . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.